That's a load of 8 ft. long 2x4s and three sheets of 4x8 drywall in the back of our long-term Dodge Grand Caravan. Lets see our BMW X5 or our Infiniti FX50 do that.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
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dougtheeng says:
10:59 AM, 01/ 2/09
The FX50 would explode if you even thought about doing this.
stingray454 says:
12:12 PM, 01/ 2/09
Almost as good as my Suburban.
jm1212 says:
12:53 PM, 01/ 2/09
i wonder if you could fit the stupid fortwo in there
cx7lover says:
01:52 PM, 01/ 2/09
Let's see the FX-50's or X5's rear bumper warp.
estreka says:
02:49 PM, 01/ 2/09
It doesn't look like you can close the door.
ekimfeenux says:
03:13 PM, 01/ 2/09
I've done something almost identical with my 2000 DGC except it was plywood not drywall and I got it all in there with the middle row captains chairs still in place. And yes the door closed perfectly.
firstwagon says:
03:19 PM, 01/ 2/09
"Let's see the FX-50's or X5's rear bumper warp."
It's not the bumper it's just a plastic cover.
So that's the only advantage you could up with for the FX-50 or the X5?
A minor trim piece that was replaced for free?
Minivans really make crossovers look lame.
iancar says:
05:11 PM, 01/ 2/09
If Dodge goes down, the depreciation hit can pay for an even bigger rental cargo van for years.
cx7lover says:
07:34 PM, 01/ 2/09
"Let's see the FX-50's or X5's rear bumper warp."
It's not the bumper it's just a plastic cover.
So that's the only advantage you could up with for the FX-50 or the X5?
A minor trim piece that was replaced for free?
Minivans really make crossovers look lame.
It shows extremely poor quality, Minivans look lame & ugly. Make a GrandFailvan your primary means of transportation if you think they're so great.
I can come up with 50 things the X5 and FX-50 do better than this POS minivan.
lime679 says:
07:08 AM, 01/ 3/09
PLEASE! I wouldn't think twice about having this in a X5 of FX50. DELIVERY! And I'm the kinda guy that doesn't do home improvement anyway.
benson2175 says:
10:27 AM, 01/ 3/09
So for that odd time I need to carry lumber and drywall a Caravan will be perfect. The rest of the time not so much.
firstwagon says:
12:16 PM, 01/ 3/09
"Make a GrandFailvan your primary means of transportation if you think they're so great."
Actually we've had 5 through the years in our family. An 88, 91, 97, 2001 and a 2005. All were throughly used (and abused) and except for the trans going on the 91 (at 300K kms), they were quite dependable. Not good for impressing the neighbours but people concerned with raising a family rarely care about BS like that.
"I can come up with 50 things the X5 and FX-50 do better than this POS minivan"
OK, let's look at the X5 and FX-50. As a people carrier, they are cramped. As an SUV, they are too fragile compared to the truck based models to do much. As a car, their respective manufactors build sedans that will run rings around for less money. You pay a premium price for a vehicle that isn't great at anything.
The only thing they have going for them is style and (IMHO) they are both ugly. So much for that.
The only thing I seen wrong with the Caravan is some cheap plastic trim pieces.
If that's a concern then Honda has a great van with a great interior.
MS3lvr92 says:
05:06 PM, 01/ 3/09
It doesn't matter which model you're talking about... hands down minivans have the absolute most utility for people and cargo hauling. No truck based SUV can really match them.
stovt001 says:
10:09 PM, 01/ 3/09
I with Firstwagon and definitely against CX7lover here.
mopar424 says:
06:33 PM, 01/ 4/09
Grand Caravan demand more in belly! The door will close, the flat area behind the front seats is exactly 4'x8'. For hurricane prep, brought home about 12 4x8s of plywood to board up; also have had about 800 pounds of quickcrete bags back there. And it pulls a boat. Who needs a suburban?
_markvgti_ says:
12:04 AM, 09/14/09
There can be no doubt that minivans are the most versatile vehicles out there. Takes only a few minutes to convert them from a family hauler to a cargo van (especially with Dodge and Chrysler's Stow 'n Go seats).
A friend and I once rented a Dodge Grand Caravan to go hiking in Canyonlands NP and Bryce Canyon. First night at the campground we were too tired to pitch a tent, so we put down the rear seats, spread out our sleeping pads and bags on the floor and went to sleep! We found it so convenient that for the rest of the trip we never pitched a tent (a first for us)! Turning in for the night was faster, and next day there was nothing to tear down, roll-up and pack!
Pity that there is so much stigma attached to the minivan body style--in terms of functionality, this really is the best vehicle design (when large volumes are required).